Rumors of an Iranian landslide

[OKNancy]

Thanks to flpoljunkie for the first post in GDP. This is an update


http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/updates-on-irans-presidential-election/


Update | 12:22 p.m. My colleague in Tehran, Nazila Fathi, writes that the turnout is feeding rumors in Tehran that a landslide may be if the offing. Here’s her report for The Lede:

Iranians went to the polls in large numbers Friday, prompting speculations that the large turnout could help moderate politician, Mir Hussein Moussavi, sweep to a landslide victory.

For many voters the choice was between incumbent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mr. Moussavi. Two other candidates, a former speaker of Parliament, Mehdi Karoubi, and a former head of the revolutionary Guards, Mohsen Rezaee, were also in the race. But Mr. Moussavi’s campaign had staged massive street rallies in Tehran and other large cities in the past week. He promised more social and political freedom, a better economy and better relations with the world.

Voters showed up at the polls today at early hours immediately after they opened at 8 a.m. local time. Many carried pens with them because of a widely circulated text message that urged supporters of Mr. Moussavi to write with their own pens. The message said that the ink used in the pens at the polling station could get wiped out. The government cut off text-messaging service today because of such rumors.

more at the link

[Captain Hilts]

1. Just as in the US, it started in '06 and is accellerating now. nt

[Bucky]

2. Moussavi's pretty conservative -- he's just not fucking loony.

I'll take a sane conservative over a loony populist any time.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. They had a commentator on the BBC last night

when the question was asked, after a piece about a huge public rally with lots of youth turning out for him, if he was Iran's Obama, he replied "no, more like Iran's Bob Dole" - the implication being, I think, that Ahmadinejad was Iran's Dubya.

[monmouth]

3. I'm thinking they watched the US elections and became motivated.

They seemed quite pleased with our turnout and selection and wanted the same for themselves. Only that can happen when everyone becomes involved. I'm hoping for Mir Hussein Moussavi to win in a landslide. It will brighten at least one day for these people.

[babylonsister]

4. Let us hope! That would be spectacular! nt

[woo me with science]

6. Please let it happen without bloodshed.

Implications for women: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5833620

[lxlxlxl]

7. fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my god an ahmenijad loss would make me so happy. small steps forward everyone!

[OKNancy]

8. more updates

Update | 2:57 p.m. Citing Iran’s interior ministry, Reuters reports that the polls in Iran have closed, but that people still waiting to vote were allowed to stay and cast ballots. Reuters aslo points out that both camps are now saying they have won 60% of the vote: “Sadegh Kharazi, a senior backer of former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi, said surveys made by reformers showed that Mousavi was getting about 58-60 percent of the votes.”

As we reported earlier, a member of Mr. Ahmadinejad’s campaign, Ali Asghar Zarei, told the semi-official Mehr news agency the same thing.

Update | 2:52 p.m. In this new video report for Britain’s Channel 4 News, Lindsey Hilsum says that a source in Tehran has told her that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has had his own private opinion poll conducted and the results suggest that Mir Hussein Moussavi could be on the verge of a broad victory: